Articles
Gardening Articles
Research-based horticulture information to help keep your plants and gardens thriving.
Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight)
Gray mold (or Botrytis blight) is a common and often serious fungal disease that can affect plants of all kinds. Learn more in this factsheet.
Deciduous Trees Disorder: Miscellaneous Causes of Decline
This fact sheet explores sun scald, girdling roots, mower injury, previous defoliation, graft incompatibility, twine and tree wrap injury, and gas leaks as common causes of tree decline and death.
Jumping Worms
Jumping worms are non-native worms that damage the soil structure causing poor plant growth. Learn how to identify and deal with Jumping Worms in this article.
Root Rots on Houseplants
Root rot is a general term for any disease that causes the deterioration of a plant’s root system. Learn more about root rots and how to avoid them in this factsheet.
Wood Mulch and Tree Health
Wood mulch can contribute to tree and shrub health in many ways, but at times can be harmful. Learn more in this factsheet.
Selecting Woody Landscape Plants for Fall Color: An Illustrated Guide
This beautifully illustrated 38-page publication provides an extensive (though by no means comprehensive) list of commercially available woody plants that offer spectacular fall color.
Planting and Managing Your Own Prairie
Whether a beginning or experienced gardener, you’ll appreciate the step-by-step instructions for planting, landscaping, and managing your own prairie plot. This booklet has more than 50 illustrated descriptions of plants to help you make the best selections.
Sampling Garden Soils and Turf Areas for Testing
Save money and protect the environment by having your soil tested before applying lime and fertilizer. This concise publication tells you when and how to sample and where to send it for testing.
Tar Spot of Trees and Shrubs
Tar spot is a common, visually distinctive and primarily cosmetic fungal leaf spot disease that can affect many species of maple, including silver maple, sugar maple and Norway maple. Learn more in this factsheet.
Spongy Moth
Spongy moth (formerly gypsy moth) is a destructive insect when the caterpillars occur in large numbers and defoliate trees. This factsheet will help with identification and management of this pest.
Aphids
Aphids are soft-bodied, insects that feed on plant sap and subsequently excrete a sugary substance that can attract ants as well as support a saprophytic fungus called sooty mold. Learn about aphids found in home gardens in this factsheet.
Herbicide Damage
Herbicide damage is any adverse, undesired effect on a plant that is caused by exposure of that plant to a pesticide designed for weed control. Learn symptoms and more in this factsheet.